The Rectory, which was added in 1840, is on the left as you approach the complex. On the first floor is a large room that was a chapel to the Blessed Mother when it was built in 1840. In it is the confessional used by Mother Duchesne and the tabernacle from the original log church. Also on display in the convent is a statue of a guardian angel carried in the 1825 Corpus Christi procession.
A replica of the original log church, built in 1790, is also on display in the rectory as is a collection of items from the early days of the village of St. Ferdinand, including silver religious items from the 1700's and a collection of dolls in nuns' habits. While Mother Duchesne is known to have had her own similar collection, this one is of a later vintage.
All of the buildings have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a cultural inventory of our nation's irreplaceable resources, and form St. Ferdinand's Shrine Historic District.
The Shrine is operated and maintained by the Friends of Old St. Ferdinand, a non-profit agency.
Tour Information
Tours are available on Saturday and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, donations accepted.
Group Tours are available all year upon request. Phone (314) 837-2110 or submit our Group Tour Request Form online. Reserved Group Tour is $2.00 per person, with lunch served is $10.00 per person (15 person minimum group for a served lunch). Lunch includes: roast beef, ham, turkey, two cheeses, lettuce and tomatoes, condiments, two types of bread, fruit bowl, chips donuts, coffee, tea, lemonade, chocolate milk and bottle water. After lunch is served there is a trip to the 2nd floor of the Schoolhouse to view more history and experience our Book Fair.
|
